On the first day of NFL free agency, the New York Giants reportedly made a splash via trade.
New York is acquiring star pass rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers in exchange for a second-round pick (No. 39 overall) and a fifth-round pick (No. 141) in next month's draft, Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo from NFL Network. reported Monday.
The Giants are also signing Burns to a massive five-year contract worth up to $150 million, with $87.5 million guaranteed, according to the NFL Network report.
With an average annual value of $30 million, the reported deal will make Burns the fourth-highest-paid defensive player in the NFL, behind San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa, Kansas City Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones and Los Angeles Rams Defensive tackle Aaron Donald, according to Spotrac salary figures.
Burns, who will turn 26 in April, spent the first five years of his career with Carolina after being selected 16th overall by the franchise in 2019. The Panthers had placed a $24 million franchise tag on him last week. .
Burns, a two-time Pro Bowl selection, has accumulated 46 sacks, eight forced fumbles, 59 tackles for loss, 246 total tackles and 95 quarterback hits in 67 career starts and 80 appearances. His best season came in 2022, when he scored his career-high. highs in sacks (12.5), tackles for loss (17), total tackles (63) and QB hits (22).
In addition to being productive, Burns has also been durable. He did not miss more than one game in any of his first five seasons.
In 16 games last season, Burns recorded eight sacks, 16 tackles for loss, 50 total tackles and 18 quarterback hits. He will now help build an imposing Giants defensive front that already featured players like tackle Dexter Lawrence and pass rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux.
Earlier Monday, the Giants reportedly added Offensive guard Jon Runyan signs a three-year contract. valued at 30 million dollars and running back Devin Singletary on a three-year deal worth $19.5 million via free agency.
Meanwhile, running back Saquon Barkley and safety Xavier McKinney left New York to reach agreements with the Philadelphia Eagles and Green Bay Packers, respectively.
NFL free agency reaches its unofficial start as the franchise tag period begins.
